St. Patrick’s Day is a fun holiday for whimsy!  It is also a perfect excuse to have a party!  Whether is it a blowout bash for adults or a gathering for kids, you can never go wrong with touches of green to add the Luck ‘O the Irish to your event!  Though this “party” was really a simple play-date for kids, the ideas can be altered easily to incorporate a more adult nature.  (especially where beverages are concerned!)  Either way, a little green goes a long way in making even a simple gathering of little leprechauns seem extra special…

holiday charms sprinkled on a tray add spirit (& they’re darn cute too)…

a simple way to add color to your beverages…

lots of easy treats and modest decorations make this play date a holiday hit…

everything in containers make things (almost) mess free…

 “wow” doesn’t always mean “expensive”

hope your weekend is filled with some Irish luck

&

a pot of gold at the end or your rainbow…

With the hustle and bustle of the holidays underway we get so busy that we often forget those little things that get our mornings off to a great start.  Whether you are hosting house guests or just making a morning special for your family, this idea of a “cereal bar” was one I thought worthy of sharing.  A simple way to present an ordinary thing in an extraordinary way, this display of easy serve breakfast food is foolproof!  By filling any kitchen containers with your favorite cereals and toppings you are sure to send your family off to work or school with full bellies.  Kids can easily help themselves and the nonperishable items can sit out if everyone is eating at different times of the morning.  The milk containers have plastic lids so while they look adorable on the breakfast display they look just as cute in the fridge!  The shape of the container actually makes it easier for little hands to hold as well.  I found these at a local grocery store but I think you can also purchase them a Target (a great excuse to go looking!)  An additional way to make everything look special is a Giggle favorite–labeling!  This time a vintage, child’s chalkboard was used to display the menu but you could, of course, use any label or place card to title your items.  So if your morning breakfast routine is in a rut–give this idea a try.  Cereal in a whimsical way just might get your family off to the start of a great day!

Thanksgivings celebrations usually include the “kids’ table”…but as they get a bit older the idea of being separated from the grown-ups isn’t always as appealing.  However, logistics still takes precedence and the kids’ table is usually a space saving necessity.  That said, you can separate the children but still make their space feel just as important as the grand display the adults get to enjoy!  Here are a couple ideas for special touches that can be easily added.  Fun plates topped with a favor are sure to please a guest of any age.  Small cardboard boxes lined with parchment have over-sized gummy candy corns tucked down inside.  A simple initial sticker is an easy way for each child to locate their seat.  A water glass holding a napkin or two is donned with an orange straw–nothing hard or spectacular but it sure looks cute–and what kid doesn’t like drinking out of a straw?  Maybe the adults will trickle over to the kids’ table this year!